Colin Kaepernick apologizes for insensitive post on Texas floods

Colin Kaepernick says he didn’t grasp the severity of the Texas floods that have killed several people, left many others missing and caused massive destruction when he posted a lighthearted reference to the disaster Tuesday on Instagram.

The San Francisco 49ers quarterback, who wears jersey No. 7, has been using the hashtag #7tormscoming on social media in reference to the upcoming season. And his team opens the preseason in Houston on Aug. 15.

Somehow Kaepernick decided it would be clever to go on Instagram and post a photo of a street full of cars submerged in floodwater, along with the caption “I warned you the #7tormscoming!!! #Houston.”

Needless to say, the post didn’t go over well. Neither did his first attempt at an apology via Twitter, which came after he deleted the offensive Instagram post: “No disrespect intended! Prayers up!”

The fact that he posted a barechested photo of himself with the caption “Just livin! #WhoDoYouLove #IDontGetTired” on Instagram at around the same time didn’t help matters, either.

At some point during the next two hours, Kaepernick must have flipped on the news and witnessed the devastation happening in that part of the country. At that point he finally posted what appears to be a sincere apology:

“I’m so sorry about my insensitive post earlier today. I didn’t fully understand how many people are struggling in Houston right now and I feel horrible. My prayers are with everyone there.”

Sounds genuine to me -- but how about a little donation to the relief effort as well? After all, Kaepernick just signed a six-year, $114-million extension with the 49ers last year. Would be a nice gesture.

Looks like the office of Houston Mayor Annise Parker agrees. Press secretary Darian Ward said of Kaepernick, “If he is truly remorseful, he can donate to our food bank, to the Red Cross. Any of those avenues.”